I Started Working Out Again Last Sunday and I am Feeling Motivated to Keep Working Out... Plus Oliver Likes Walks!

Before First Run

After a few months away from any type of exercise, I started running again on Sunday, June 4. I had a good first walk/jog to start off the process. My plan is to exercise three times a week although not sticking to strict days, but I do plan to work out at least three days each week. So far I have only been doing the running as I completed three runs last week. The picture to the left is before my first run. I felt pretty good considering I had not run, or done any type of exercise, in a few months. I looked it up and the last time I did any type of exercise was early November.

While I felt good following the run, I did have leg cramps on Monday. Calf pain that felt like shin splints but by Monday evening, those were gone. I was ready to run again on Tuesday evening although I did not run as long this time. 

Happy Oliver on a Walk

When I returned home from my first run, little Oliver was waiting at the door and whining when I came into the kitchen. Even though it had been months since I last ran, or took Oliver on a walk, he knew what I was doing and that he would be going on a walk when I returned home. He was so excited! We had a great first walk post-run, so that helps to motivate me to want to exercise and then take him on walks. Oliver remained excited the other two days that I ran too although he was not whining at me when I came back home following my run, he was waiting at the door ready to get on his collar and head out for a walk.

My plan is to run most of the time and then I also want to get back on the bike and do that some weeks instead of running. I figure it will help my legs and keep me fresh doing an alternate workout instead of running all the time. I do enjoy running and it is a good time to listen to audio books too while I run, or bike, so that will help to motivate me to exercise each week. Everything little bit of motivation helps.

I plan to update on my status at least once a month, so let this be the start to many more posts on my exercise routine. I might not always feel motivated to workout, but I sure feel good after a workout. Not to mention Oliver likes the routine and doing a walk post-workout, so I plan to keep this going and get back into the routine even when other events happen to take me away from working out.

Until next time, have a great week and I will chat with you later.

Happy Birthday to Oliver! He turned 12 today.

 

Happy birthday to Oliver! He turned 12 today. It is hard to believe he is twelve years old. To read backstory of how Oliver became a part of our family twelve years ago, read the post from 2021 where he turned ten years old. Oliver has given us so many stories over the years and makes us laugh daily. He has a good personality and he knows he is the boss in our house. He knows that when Carrie and I are eating dinner that is his time to get chicken and if we forget, he throws a fit in the kitchen until we get him his chicken.

Oliver loves to sit in our back yard and watch for people or dogs so he can run to the back corner and bark at them. He is the lookout for the other neighbor dogs to alert them when something is happening. 

A short update for this morning to with our little Japanese Chin a Happy Birthday, Oliver, we love you so much! 

Busy Saturday with NSO, Farmers Market, Mulvane Art Fair, and then Starting Working Out Again on Sunday... Good Weekend!

Carrie at Mulvane Art Fair

We had a busy Saturday which had us up early this morning. Carrie took part at New Student Orientation (NSO) at Washburn University. Got us up early to get coffee at Circle Coffee Co where they are starting to know our names as we are there at least once a week and sometimes multiple times in a week when Carrie has NSO to attend. Good way to start the day as I had coffee and then went to read while Carrie was working her booth for Learning in the Community (LinC). I saw a number of people that I knew and Carrie said many told her they saw someone not usually there on a Saturday hanging out.

Following NSO, we headed to pick up Greg and Erin and we went to the Downtown Topeka Farmers Market which was fun. We bought a plant for the front porch and had a fun time walking around looking at the different booths. We also picked up some breakfast at one of the booths. 

After the Farmers Market, we headed back to Washburn for the Mulvane Art Fair which was a lot of fun. Went around to each of the booths, Carrie found some ear rings, and we bought a painting. It was better weather than we thought we would have today so that was good although it was warm. We try to make it to the Mulvane Art Fair every year and we always try to buy something while we are there which usually is not difficult. Always fun to run into people we know at attending too.

Following the morning events, we decided to go have some drinks and find someplace to have lunch. We ended up in Holton, KS at Wilcox Brewing Company & Taproom where we have been previously. We had a fun time talking to the bartender and we spoke to the brewmaster briefly too while we sat at the bar. After a few beers, I got a growler to go and we went around the corner to The Cockeyed Pig Dive Bar & Grille where we had appetizers and both couples split meals.

We headed back to Topeka and had a low key rest of the afternoon which was good. What a fun Saturday that had us up early and I got in a nap during the afternoon once we got back home. Low key evening grilling some chicken and watching movies.

Sunday, the start of my routine of working out. I plan to start running on today or riding the bike which will probably be a combination of both. I want to get back to riding the bike as I have completely stopped since November 2022. Ouch! Went on vacation and never got back to the routine. It is time to start the routine and I plan to run or ride three times a week. It all starts Sunday, so I plan to update here on a monthly basis again with this being the first update that I am starting this process again. It is so easy to get out of the habit and difficult to start again. Here we go!

Have a great week and wish me luck as I start this process again...

Memorial Day 2023

 

Remembering those that served and gave their lives so we can be free. Start of summer for many with pools opening, but we should not forget those who gave their lives in the line of duty. 

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day and remember those that gave their lives.

The Mavericks at Knuckleheads Friday, May 26, 2023 was so fun! Plus trains, tracks, and late night eating. Great memories!

Picture in Hotel Lobby

We booked tickets to The Mavericks a few months ago. We had a great time. We got into Kansas City early, so we are able to visit some spots for drinks before we went to the concert. We stayed in downtown Kansas City at the Hotel Indigo which was a good spot as we were within walking distance to placed downtown and really not a bad drive (Uber) to the places we were going for the evening. 

After arriving at the hotel, we decided to walk down to the Hilton President Kansas City to have drinks at their bar. We had been to this bar a few years ago for Jack's wedding. A few drinks and then we had a snack while we were there before taking an Uber to J. Rieger & Co. We ordered fancy drinks at J. Rieger and had a cheese and meat plate. Such a fun spot! This is where Jack and Katie had their rehearsal dinner a few years ago, so Carrie and I had been wanting to get back over to J. Rieger to take Greg and Erin. Drinks are so good and it is such a fun spot. 

Lots of Trains

J. Rieger and Knuckleheads are in an industrial area, so there are a lot of trains. Tracks and trains everywhere which was fun when we arrived and making our way to the concert, but after the concert and the following day, we were not happy to see the trains. Still a fun time! Luckily after we finished at J. Rieger a train had moved so we were able to walk down the tracks a little to be able to cross over to get to the concert. At one point during the concert, a train went by and blew their horn and the place went crazy. Just a cool spot and fun to be outside enjoying a beautiful evening to watch a concert. Amazing!

Carrie and John Crossing Tracks

Carrie and I had to get our selfie in front of the train as we were crossing the tracks to get over to the concert. Always fun to see trains and be around the tracks. Most of the trains we saw in the area were standing still, so I really did not have a chance to see them moving or click-clacking down the track. Still, it was fun to see and we have some good memories of crossing the tracks to get to the concert.

Stage Shot of The Mavericks at Knuckleheads

Selfie Picture at The Mavericks

Cousin Tom and John at Concert

I missed my brother, Tim, at the concert. Confusion on what night we were going to the concert even though we had told him it was Friday night and he got tickets for Thursday. Oops! He got tickets for Friday night, but ended up not being able to make it as Donna was not feeling well. We ran into my cousin, Tom, at the concert. He was walking through the crowd and we saw one another. He bought us drinks and later we were able to buy him drinks.

Selfie Waiting for Train to Move

The Mavericks played for another 45 - 50 minutes following their last song. Put on a great show and the crowd was having fun. Following the show we headed out to walk back over to J. Rieger as someone left their hat there earlier. This was our first encounter with a train that would not move. We waited for the train to move for 15 - 20 minutes, along with others, before we finally decided to get an Uber and head out. We would venture back to this area the following day to get the hat. Of course we had to take a selfie while we were waiting. Ah, good times!

Town-Topic Burgers

We took Uber to Town-Topic Hamburgers which was very busy but well worth the wait. We snarfed down our food along with many others in the parking lot next to the place. Town-Topic is some place Carrie has said for a few years she wanted to visit when we were in Kansas City, but this was my first trip there. Burgers at 1 am are always good, but wow, this really hit the spot. 

We drove back to Topeka on Saturday and I slept for most of the evening while watching TV. We slept late on Sunday as we are not used to partying. So happy that we were able to make it to the concert and have some good memories of the trip. Carrie and I said during the winter months that we were going to try and do more concerts this year and this was the first of the year. We have another one booked  toward the end of June and we cannot wait!

We did discuss that we have not been camping yet and this would have been a perfect weekend for camping. We did our first camping trip in 2022 Memorial Day weekend (see post) and we are not sure when we will be doing our first camping trip for 2023. We talked about going in the middle of June, but nothing is set yet. Regardless, we all had a great time in Kansas City for The Mavericks and Knuckleheads outside stage was so fun!

Busy weekend and then got the yard mowed so Oliver can enjoy our back yard again

Tongue Out and Sleepy Oliver

Busy weekend with things happening both Friday and Saturday evening. It was a busy week too with meetings, a two day conference, and trying to get some lawn work done.

Picture of Oliver to the left is from Saturday as he was very sleepy from being up late on Friday night. He likes to go his kennel which we leave open all the time and never shut him in there any more, but it is his "safe" place when he needs to get away from us and sleep. On Saturday afternoon, he was so sleepy is little tongue came out and stayed out most of the afternoon. When his tongue comes out, you know he is sleepy and likely a bit grumpy too, so give him his space and let him do as he pleases through the day.

Friday started summer hours at work which is nice. Had a work gathering that evening and then already had plans for a trip to Lawrence for dinner. Had fun celebrating graduation by some colleagues as well as outstanding staff award for another colleague. Congrats to them all! I was only able to stay for about an hour before I had to head out to pick up Carrie and head to Lawrence. We went to Merchants Pub & Plate which if you have not been there, I highly recommend a visit. Good drinks and fun with family and friends.

Carrie Reading with Oliver

Saturday morning Carrie, Oliver, and I all slept later than normal which was nice. Saturday afternoon was so beautiful that Carrie went out and read for a while with Oliver. Oliver loves it as he can watch for people, and dogs, that are walking by and protect our home.

Saturday night we were meeting family for dinner at Blind Tiger and then Soliloquy for drinks. This was my second time to Blind Tiger in the past month or so and once again the food service was very slow. We waited for about 45 minutes for food and had reservations at 8:30 at Soliloquy. The last time I was at Blind Tiger took 45 - 60 minutes for food to be at our table. With no mention it was taking the kitchen either time a long time, this time we could not wait and decided to leave just as it was coming out to the table. Blind Tiger might want to start warning customers if it is going to be 45 minutes plus for food to be ready as that is just too long to wait for food.

We did have some apps while we were waiting for food which was good as that turned out to be the meal for the table. We left and arrived just in time for our 8:30 reservation at Soliloquy. If you have not heard of Soliloquy, be sure to check them out. They are in the same building where Circle Coffee is located, but with Circle Coffee being closed Saturday evening and not open on Sunday, Soliloquy is able to use the space to serve spirits, cocktails, and creating memories with a pop-up place to enjoy some drinks, snacks, and company on Saturday evening. So fun and what a great idea! It was our first time to Soliloquy and we will go back!

Sleepy Oliver... Keep 
Those Eyes Open!

After being gone last weekend to Texas and not having mowed the lawn in over two weeks, I had to mow on Sunday. Oliver does not like to go in the yard when the grass touches his belly. He will stand on the cement and do his business on some grass overreaching to the pavement. The only time he will go out in the grass, when it is long, is when there is someone walking with a dog. He forgets and runs out to the corner of our back yard to bark at the dog. Then, you can almost see him realize the grass is touching his belly and he will jog along the fence back toward the back patio where he will sit and watch for the next person to cross the street in back of our house.

Now, he can go in the back yard without blades of grass touching his belly. I got the lawn mowed, trimmed, and I used the blower to get other yard stuff away from the house. Oliver is set for another week in our back yard.

I trust you had a great weekend and hopefully you were able to enjoy the nice weather we had this weekend here in Kansas. Hoping we have some more nice days to come before it gets hot. Until next time, have a great week!

Quick update on our trip to Texas last week with fun in Houston to celebrate friends graduation...

We flew down to Dallas, TX last Thursday which is the reason there was not an update on Sunday per usual. We went down to celebrate a graduation for our friend Corrie's son. We flew down to Dallas and then drove with Javier to Houston, TX where the party would take part. We had a great time! The weather was good with some rain, but it did not deter from the fun we had while in Houston. We even got some pool time in before the celebration on Saturday night. 

You will not be surprised that I did not get many pictures from the graduation party but we came away with some good memories and enjoyed spending time with our friends.

The last time we were in Houston was back in December for New Years and at that time we had our dog, Oliver, who joined us. The picture to the right is Cooper and Carrie with Cooper getting a belly rub. I am pretty sure that Cooper was happy Oliver was no where around his house.

A quick trip flying down Thursday and then heading back on Sunday. Our flight Thursday morning left at 7:30 am and then the return flight was scheduled for 8:20 but ended up being later which got us home to Topeka around 11:30 Sunday night. 

Short trip but a large time was had in Texas. It was good to fly down this time instead of driving which we have done the last few visits to Texas, but I also like taking my dog with me when we travel, so he was missed.

I did not get this posted on Sunday, or Monday, as I was exhausted after our trip and went to bed early Monday night. Finally feeling back to normal after traveling and a lot of fun.

Until next time, have a great week!